The Islanders are one of the surprise hits of the 2014-15 season, and while they could've made another big splash at the deadline, they opted to for an under-the-radar upgrade at the backup goaltender slot and stand largely pat otherwise.

The San Jose Sharks have not been involved in any blockbuster deals thus far, despite speculation that they would be making such a move ahead of Monday's deadline. However, there is some tantalizing info to pass along from the ground in Northern California

There's been speculation all season that the Washington Capitals would look to move defenseman Mike Green prior to the deadline, owing to his impending UFA status and their expenditures elsewhere at the position. However, there's now insight that the club may, in fact, hang on to the offensive whiz.

"I can't see Caps trading Green," former Capitals AGM Frank Provenzano noted in our deadline chat. "He is finally in the right role in Washington. Everyone looks at getting a return for UFA contracts. Playing in the playoffs is a return. I always felt the cheapest rental players at the deadline were the ones you already had."

The Buffalo Sabres are open for business on deadline day, and one of the players who could be moved is veteran forward Chris Stewart; in fact, Stewart has seemingly been on the trading block since he was acquired by Buffalo ahead of last season's deadline

You know Olli Jokinen is just dying for his phone to ring before the clock strikes 3 p.m. ET on Monday. After getting the boot from the contending Nashville Predators as part of a recent trade package, the veteran forward is stuck in a situation with which he’s all too familiar: Playing for a team with little (read: zero) aspiration of making the postseason. Having participated in only six playoff games in his entire NHL career, the 36-year-old can only hope his stint with the Toronto Maple Leafs is exceptionally brief.

Fortunately, everyone’s on the same page same page in Toronto. With little use for a UFA-to-be in the twilight of his career, the rebuilding Leafs are doing their best to showcase Jokinen in hopes of getting something -- anything, really -- in return. And while the veteran won’t top most contenders’ trade wish lists, he could fill a hole somewhere, once other -- more sought-after -- assets are spoken for.

After months of chatter and speculation, we may finally see Chris Stewart join a new club. Hours ahead of Monday’s trade deadline, ESPN Insider Craig Custance reports the Buffalo Sabres are still getting calls -- including some new ones -- in regards to the power forward.

“A couple new teams have called on Chris Stewart in last 48 hours to check price. Boston continues to be in the mix. Nothing close now.”

While a trade may not be imminent, ESPN’s Scott Burnside suggests Stewart has enough upside to attract an offer acceptable to the Sabres before the deadline passes.

"He has shown in pretty small sample that he has an 'A' game, which means crashing the net, scoring and generally banging around in the offensive zone. One executive told us he doesn't care that Stewart isn't probable to be a long-term option given the wild fluctuations in his game, but playing for a contract over a short period of time, like the playoffs, he would be interested in his services.”

Although a deal (or two) is far from a sure thing, the Detroit Red Wings are entertaining options of adding a piece (or two) ahead of Monday’s trade deadline. Ideally, GM Ken Holland would like to acquire "a skilled right-handed shooting defenseman or a big, gritty winger." For a reasonable price, of course.

According to the Sun-Times, the Washington Capitals and Detroit Red Wings have had interest in trading for Sharp. If so, both clubs will have to wait until the summer – at least – before taking another stab at the top-six forward. After trading for Vermette Saturday and snagging defenseman Kimmo Timonen from the Philadelphia Flyers Friday, the Blackhawks are likely done dealing in 2014-15.

In the second season of a five-year, $35-million deal, Semin is universally considered a colossal underachiever. However, that’s not to say that a contending club wouldn’t be willing to take a flier on the gifted -- if perpetually uninspired -- winger, for a significant discount. Teams looking to fill a hole within their corps of top-six forwards might want to gamble that a change in scenery might suffice in stimulating the former 40-goal scorer.

Semin’s former club, the Washington Capitals, are looking to add a top-six winger. As outrageous as that strikes, stranger moves have happened.

Even the most passionate of hockey fans has trouble generating serious interest in the NHL All-Star Game, a goalies’ nightmare that saw John Tavares of the Islanders score four goals as Team Toews beat Team Foligno 17-12 on Sunday in Columbus.

ESPN.com’s Scott Burnside counters that the All-Star festivities are about more than the actual game, calling the weekend a “pleasant respite” in the middle of the season.

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RUMOR CENTRAL

Rumor Central represents regular tips and analysis from ESPN sources plus numerous credible external sources from every form of media. We will speculate intelligently and consider future possibilities on open-ended topics. If something looks speculative, it was intended to be.